In March of 2006, the cable television channel Bravo premiered the “docudrama” The Real Housewives of Orange County. Since that time, the Real Housewives have spread to six other cities amounting to a total of 31 seasons. Originally based in Orange County, California, the casts have expanded into New York City, New Jersey, Atlanta, Miami, Beverly Hills and one season in Washington D.C. Each cast, in each city, during each season is different. While some Housewives are consistent, every new season brings in new women and new drama.

But it’s not all about the drama. Many of the Housewives, many of whom are not actually housewives but hard working businesswomen, have used the series as a launching pad for the development of their careers through beauty products, book contracts, clothing and accessory lines, and spin off series. In addition to the Housewives series, there have been four spin-off shows starring former or current Housewives in their own reality series. As reality television continues to grow in popularity and the Housewives find themselves a staple on Bravo, in the tabloids, and online it seems only fitting that they receive some scholarly recognition.

For this collection, already under contract with McFarland Press, the editor is seeking original submissions that address The Housewives in all their glory. As a critical examination of our current television culture, this collection is grounded in (but not limited to) critical/cultural, media, and television studies. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
• Analysis of Race, Class, Gender, Sexuality, Religion, and Ability
• Female and/or Male Friendships
• Beauty Standards/Cosmetic Surgery
• Conspicuous Consumption – the importance of fashion, food and drink, travel and vacation destinations
• Reality-Celebrity status
• Social media, branding, and tabloid exposure
• Spin-off series and International versions of the Housewives

Deadlines:
Chapter Proposal - March 1
Notification of Acceptance – March 18
Completed Chapters – July 1

Chapter proposals (300-500 words) should be submitted as an email attachment in MS Word to: Rachelesilverman@gmail.com with “YourLastName – Housewives” as the title. Please include a short biography and a condensed version of your CV with the proposal.

Final submissions (3,000-5,000 words) should adhere to APA Style.

Editor Information:
Rachel E. Silverman
Assistant Professor, Communication
Department of Humanities and Social Science
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
rachelesilverman@gmail.com